BPD: Man arrested on federal charge in connection to Madrid murder

Bernard Bell is led away from the Beaumont Police Department after being arrested Wednesday on a federal charge of possession of a firearm. Sunday's possession charge was elevated to a federal level after further investigation into Bell's history became known to investigators, Lt. Curtis Breaux said. "If anyone warrants federal charges, it's him," he added. Bell, who had bonded out of jail following Sunday's arrest was taken into custody today without incident. Lt. Breaux says preliminary tests indicate the gun, which they have now identified as a 45-caliber handgun, was likely the one used in the shooting death of Anthony Wilson last Thursday. The weapon had been reported stolen two weeks prior to the incident, and was taken from a car burglary in the same neighborhood of Wilson's shooting. Photo taken Wednesday, April 17, 2019 Kim Brent/The Enterprise

Bernard Bell is led away from the Beaumont Police Department after being arrested Wednesday on a federal charge of possession of a firearm. Sunday's possession charge was elevated to a federal level after

Bernard Bell is led away from the Beaumont Police Department after being arrested Wednesday on a federal charge of possession of a firearm. Sunday's possession charge was elevated to a federal level after further investigation into Bell's history became known to investigators, Lt. Curtis Breaux said. "If anyone warrants federal charges, it's him," he added. Bell, who had bonded out of jail following Sunday's arrest was taken into custody today without incident. Lt. Breaux says preliminary tests indicate the gun, which they have now identified as a 45-caliber handgun, was likely the one used in the shooting death of Anthony Wilson last Thursday. The weapon had been reported stolen two weeks prior to the incident, and was taken from a car burglary in the same neighborhood of Wilson's shooting. Photo taken Wednesday, April 17, 2019 Kim Brent/The Enterprise

Bernard Bell is led away from the Beaumont Police Department after being arrested Wednesday on a federal charge of possession of a firearm. Sunday's possession charge was elevated to a federal level after

The gun used in the fatal shooting of a Beaumont lawn care owner was stolen about 2 weeks prior from the same neighborhood, according to information from the Beaumont Police Department.

Bernard Bell was initially arrested on Sunday but posted bond early thereafter. His bond was about $40,000, officials said.

He was arrested again Wednesday afternoon on a federal charge of possession of a firearm.

The firearm in his possession is believed to be a 45 Caliber. The same weapon officials believe was used in the killing of Anthony Wilson, a 37-year-old Beaumont resident.

The shooting occurred on Thursday night when Wilson confronted a group of teens who had allegedly attempted to burglarize his car at his home in the 900 block of Wisteria. He was shot in the 6800 block of Madrid and his vehicle was stolen. Officials later recovered his truck in the 400 block of Norwalk.

Jamirious Jantrel Gardner, 17, and John James Cook, 18, both West Brook students, were arrested early Sunday morning and booked at the Jefferson County Jail on a murder charge. Their bonds were set at $1,000,000.

A 15-year-old, also West Brook student, was charged with murder in connection to the case.